Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements too apt to fill up the leisure of the labouring classes.

I have ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect.

The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority's ability to harm a minority.

Truth [comes only] from those ... who cultivate their reason.

Outlets for the freed blacks are alone wanted for the erasure of the blot from our Republican character.

If slavery, as a national evil, is to be abolished, and it be just that it be done at the national expense, the amount of the expense is not a paramount consideration.

[I]t is more convenient to prevent the passage of a law, than to declare it void after it has passed.